Reasons For Drowning

Rob Sullivan · 01-31-2006, 10:18 PM

You forget that like yourself, Linda, I am a teacher - and questions are always welcome!

You are too kind with the "stretching yourself" sentiment. I feel, oftentimes, that I do not stretch myself enough. My being AWOL from here is due to the fact that I have been knee-deep in landscapes for months, leading up to a holiday show. I have to admit to myself that is what I do when it comes to my art career right now. This painting here is my stepping out a bit when the opportunity arose.

"Reasons For Drowning" is the title of the CD. My friend Phil is the leader of the band, dubbed Initial Ascent. He is also a composer of chant music, leading a Schola Cantorum at my local parish - which happens to be the archdiocese of Portland - the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. An impressive place for music, if not for other things. He is also the choir director and organist there, too. Basically, he is a 35 year old musical genius, and I am blessed to call him my good friend.

The image here is based upon the music within. It is dark and unctious (piano, oboe and violin), and incredibly complex. I am not ashamed to tell you that it goes over my head at times, yet I know it's brilliant. I was so fortunate to have sat in his studio, one on one, and listened to pieces of these movements as he completed them. He had already released some things locally, and I decided that his music needed to be packaged in something with some more thought behind it. I volunteered my services (I was paid in single malt scotch - a very expensive one. Very fair, in my book).

I discussed my visions with him of what I saw when listening to the music. He agreed with my landscape visions, as well as the palette I was seeing. However, he insisted on a nude. He wanted the female form for beauty's sake, and because of the innate sorrowful quality it can convey. I was ecstatic, for I really feel that the nude in the landscape is a huge vehicle in terms of my expression as an artist. I now hadlegitimate reason to explore this since "Caesura" from a few years ago.

This was a difficult piece from a technical startup point, as I wanted a winter sunset with the figure laying in shallow ocean water. The light is not wholly true, but I wanted a certain consistency that seemed believable. The model was studied indoors, and the landscape was separate. This was mostly due to light conditions, cold water and me without the correct photographic equipment. I relied on notes I took while walking amongst the rocks and sand of the Cape Elizabeth coastline at dusk in December.

The sky effect is based upon actual cloud forms that I witnessed, but a totally different palette. It is a much broader skyscape than such a tight format could hold, so it has a bit of a convex appearance. What was most important were the angel-wing shapes of the cirrus clouds, which I moved around to get the composition to really flow. Same with the white pine - which resides in the large cemetary near my house. My "cloud period" really paid off; I can get the effects I want without thinking about it now. Intensive study works!

I am a film buff, so despite my tender years (oh, please), "Deliverance" was seen several times in my youth. A friend introduced me to it to get me out of my Kurosawa phase.

Okay, that's enough outta me. You knew I would ramble, didn't you, Linda?

Rob Sullivan · 01-31-2006, 10:26 PM

Julie and Terri -

Sorry - while I had my face planted in the keyboard, you made some lovely and incisive comments. I thank you.

You're spot on, Julie - it IS a music CD. I wish I could give Initial Ascent a genre, but it's so unique. For the sake of not knowing any better, I'll call it minor-key chamber music with jazz-like extrapolations.

Terri, hang on! Don't run too fast past the image, or you'll get sucked in! Hey, I guess it works. I'm glad of your reaction, as dizzying as it is. Thanks!

Alexandra Tyng · 01-31-2006, 10:46 PM

Rob, I recognize the Maine landscape, but you have done something eerie with it that evokes such different emotions than the ones I usually associate with it. There is a kind of dizzying, whirlpool effect caused by the curve of the background and the position of the woman; she actually seems to be swirling or spinning. I've been staring at this, too. It makes me want to buy the CD! (Can I?)

I think you did a great job with the clouds, tree, nude figure--everything. But the amazing this is the way they come together. Not only do they work in terms of composition, lighting, color, value, etc., there's a feeling (from the artist's point of view) that you had total awareness of your concept and total control and focus while realizing it. That's a nice place to be!

I love it!

Rob Sullivan · 01-31-2006, 11:05 PM

Ah, Alexandra - if only it were as easy as it looks. Actually, I had a good grasp of it all, but piecing it together technically was a challenge. The reflective light on the figure was only a combo of my speculation and observation - no actual imagery to go on. Years ago, I would never, EVER have trusted myself to rely on these things alone. I guess I'm growing up.

But, I thank you for seeing it as whole and complete. This confirms my suspicions that it worked. Whew!

You can find Initial Ascent on CD Baby. Just type the band name into the search box. They give a more apt description of the music than I could write!

Jean Kelly · 02-01-2006, 01:23 AM

Beautiful, moody and evocative. I want to hear the cd also. It sounds like you and your friend have managed to be "congruent" (very difficult when working with musicians).. I like this a lot.

Jean

Mark Youd · 02-01-2006, 05:31 AM

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Mischa Milosevic · 02-01-2006, 08:38 AM

Rob, this is awesome! Execution in the clouds. I

Alexandra Tyng · 02-01-2006, 10:49 AM

Now my 17-year-old son (a violinist and spare-time composer and portrait painter) wants to buy the CD also. He did listen to a segment of the music, however, so it wasn't just the cover, but it definitely had an influence on him.

Rob Sullivan · 02-01-2006, 08:42 PM

Jean, Mark and Mischa - many thanks!

Mark, no worries. I designed the type and all the packaging. I taught myself Photoshop and Illustrator when the millenium turned over. I was once a full-time illustrator, so I felt it was prudent to know these things.

Alexandra! I must tell Phil that he is already influencing young musicians! He will be ecstatic.